Due to war conflicts in the Middle East, oil prices have risen in our country as well. The price of gasoline in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina increased by almost 0.20 BAM per liter, and diesel by 0.50 BAM, so that a liter of diesel now costs BAM 3.20 at some gas stations. The market inspections of the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina carry out increased controls on the formation of oil prices. Many gas stations have been fined for violating the fuel margin.
Market inspections of the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina exercise increased control over the formation of fuel prices with the aim of protecting citizens and suppressing unrealistic price increases. In the Republika Srpska, out of a total of 130 controls, the inspection determined in 55 cases that traders did not comply with the prescribed margins and imposed fines in the amount of 825 thousand marks. Last week, the Federal Inspectorate inspected a total of 13 gas stations in Sarajevo Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva, Tuzla and Zenica-Doboj Cantons, and issued misdemeanor orders for two in the amount of 14,000 marks.
SRĐAN MARINKOVIĆ, Bijeljina Chamber of Commerce
“Certainly, economic societies suffer as a result of all the global disruptions, they suffer certain pressures. At this moment, we are gathering impressions and we are aware that there are challenges on the ground. Yesterday we had a series of meetings with businessmen who deal with oil and oil derivatives, and we will certainly come up with certain solutions during the next week, of course in a conversation with them”.
Experts believe that sudden jumps in fuel prices are not fully justified and create an opportunity for many to benefit. Citizens are of the same opinion.
IGOR ŽIVKO, professor of economics at the University of Mostar
“We do not have enough internal capacity to withstand these first shocks. We can expect an increase in the prices of products and services, we depend on oil as an energy source in both production and transport, and this spiral is much faster in our country than in some other countries that, for example, use rail transport compared to road transport, which is dominant in our country”.
VEDRAN LAKIĆ, Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry of the Federation of BiH
“It was important for us to first stabilize the availability of oil, now about prices, and this morning we had a very important and constructive meeting with representatives of the oil sector in the Federation of BiH and with suppliers, importers and distributors and representatives of the Ministry of Trade, and this ministry, and tomorrow we have another meeting with the Prime Minister with other participants in communication and we will analyze and offer solutions to this situation on a daily basis”.
The entity inspection services warn companies that trade in oil products to adhere to the measures of direct price control and prescribed margins. They state that, in order to protect citizens’ living standards, they will continue to control prices at full capacity, and appeal to businesses not to expose themselves to the risk of being punished.
